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Using Electricity to Power Your Heat Pump: Get The Facts Before You Switch.

Heat pumps are champions of efficiency, amplifying every watt into heat and hot water for your home. They're engineered to maximise energy use, ensuring you get the most out of every unit of electricity that they use.
A house featuring a white roof surrounded by a lush green lawn, showcasing a vibrant and inviting outdoor space.

UPGRADE YOUR HEATING What Makes a Heat Pump So Good?

There is no doubt that a heat pump stands out as a modern heating system with numerous advantages. There are often uncertainties about the expected energy consumption of a heat pump and the associated running costs.

An air source heat pump draws around 75% of the heating energy from the ambient air. To do this, it requires only a small amount of electricity. To help determine the effectiveness of a heat pump, you can use both SCoP and CoP to evaluate the energy efficiency of your heat pump system. Both readings highlight the relationship between the energy inputted and the heat it releases.

air source heat pump

The Coefficient of Performance (CoP) is the efficiency of the heat pump at a specific time point under certain conditions. The higher the CoP, the lower the consumption of electric power and energy is used for the heat pump.

For example, if the outdoor temperature is 7°C and the heat pump generates a 35°C flow temperature (A7/W35) this will mean that the aroTHERM plus heat pump has a CoP of up to 5.4. This means for every 1kW of electricity used by the heat pump, you get 5.4kW of heat at this given point.

In comparison, the ScoP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) give you an even more accurate idea of how your heat pump will perform across varying temperatures year-round.

The aroTHERM plus can achieve a ScoP of up to 5.03, making it one of the top-performing heat pumps on the market.

Defining Factors of a Heat Pump's Power Demand.

The electricity consumption of an air source heat pump depends on various factors. Here you'll find an overview of the most important ones.

  • Enhanced Insulation

    Insulation is like a cosy blanket for your home. It keeps the warmth in during winter and the heat out during summer. By reducing heat loss, insulation enhances your home's efficiency. Installing sufficient insulation like cavity wall walls, roof insulation or upgrading your windows, means your heating system works less and minimises energy consumption. If you’re unsure about energy efficiency, you can check your EPC rating here.

  • Flow temperature

    Flow temperature is the temperature of the water circulating through your heating system to your radiators. Your radiators don’t need to be scalding hot to keep your home cosy. Your radiators should feel warm, not hot to the touch. This ensures efficient heating and toasty warmth.

  • Your heating needs

    A household's heating energy consumption is influenced by the size of the house, the number of bathrooms and your individual heating and hot water requirements and more.

  • Supporting systems

    A heat pump can be supplemented with another product to increase efficiency, such as solar panels/PV (Photovoltaics). This can lead to lower operating costs.

YOUR OPTIONS

The Different Types of Heat Pumps.

The electricity consumption of a heat pump varies with the different heat pump types and the system design. What's most important, however, is the heat source used, as each has its own benefits, which we point out below.

The air source heat pump experiences the most significant temperature changes from its main energy source, which is the heat in the surrounding air. When outside temperatures drop, more electricity is needed to reach the desired heating level. However, the air source heat pump, still stands out for its simple and affordable installation process.

The Vaillant aroTHERM plus has been tested in climates down to -25°C, they are designed to last in very cold conditions.

heat pump
heat pump
Learn more about air source heat pumps

Ground source heat pumps harness heat from the ground’s thermal energy. Because this energy source experiences fewer temperature changes, the electricity needed for this type of heating is steadier and somewhat lower. Nevertheless, the ground source heat pump is notably more costly to buy and install.

flexoTHERM heat pump underneath the stairs
flexoTHERM heat pump underneath the stairs
Learn more about ground source heat pumps

Among the three options, the water source heat pump has the most favorable energy efficiency rating. A water source heat pump works by extracting thermal energy from a body of water to heat your home and provide hot water. The initial costs are high, and it needs thorough assessment to determine if groundwater usage is feasible.

hp
hp
Learn more about the water source heat pump

Unlock Maximum Efficiency The Same Output With a Quarter of the Input.

Heat pumps are extremely efficient in heat generation, achieving efficiency rates between 300% and 500%. For reference, gas boilers can reach an efficiency rate of 92% and above.

Let’s quickly compare the numbers: Compared to a gas boiler, a heat pump produces roughly 4kWh of energy for every kWh given. That’s a win of 4:1. By comparison, a boiler produces around 0.94kWh of heating energy for every 1kWh input.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HEATING SYSTEM

Optimise Your Heat Pump Operation.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HEATING SYSTEM Optimise Your Heat Pump Operation.

  1. Heating Behaviour

    We often heat our homes more than necessary. Try lowering room temperatures by 1°C on your heating control to gain even more heating efficiency. For example, if you like your bedroom cooler than your bathroom, and you have zone heating or thermostatic radiator valves you can adjust the temperature room-by-room to suit your needs.

  2. Heating Settings

    Schedule an annual service with your heat pump engineer to ensure your system is working properly and safely. Your installer will check the settings on your heating system to ensure everything is correctly set and regularly maintained, and able to work at its most efficient and save you unnecessary costs.

    Learn more about annual services.

  3. Night Setback

    Night setback in modern heating systems lets you maintain a steady temperature during off-hours. This approach ensures your home warms up efficiently during active hours without the high energy cost.

  4. Hot Water Temperature

    Lower the hot water temperature to between 50°C - 55°C and if using a hot water cylinder, increase this weekly to 60°C to ensure legionella protection. You can manage the hot water temperatures easily through your smart heating control

  5. Smart Combination

    Connect your heating system with other modern technologies like PV (also known as photovoltaics) for self-generated electricity and solar thermal systems for water heating with solar energy.

  • Heating Behaviour

    We often heat our homes more than necessary. Try lowering room temperatures by 1°C on your heating control to gain even more heating efficiency. For example, if you like your bedroom cooler than your bathroom, and you have zone heating or thermostatic radiator valves you can adjust the temperature room-by-room to suit your needs.

  • Heating Settings

    Schedule an annual service with your heat pump engineer to ensure your system is working properly and safely. Your installer will check the settings on your heating system to ensure everything is correctly set and regularly maintained, and able to work at its most efficient and save you unnecessary costs.

    Learn more about annual services.

  • Night Setback

    Night setback in modern heating systems lets you maintain a steady temperature during off-hours. This approach ensures your home warms up efficiently during active hours without the high energy cost.

  • Hot Water Temperature

    Lower the hot water temperature to between 50°C - 55°C and if using a hot water cylinder, increase this weekly to 60°C to ensure legionella protection. You can manage the hot water temperatures easily through your smart heating control

  • Smart Combination

    Connect your heating system with other modern technologies like PV (also known as photovoltaics) for self-generated electricity and solar thermal systems for water heating with solar energy.

Get Your Heat Pump in Five Steps.

1
Get a personal consultation
Get a personal consultation

Our ‘Find an Installer’ tool connects you with expert professionals who know Vaillant heat pumps inside and out. Our installers will guide you through your options, ensuring you find the perfect solution for your home. They’ll visit your property, assess your needs, and provide a no-obligation quote.

Find your local Vaillant installer
2
Let our experts check the situation
Let our experts check the situation

Your installer will conduct an on-site inspection to ensure your home is suitable. They will assess your current radiators, current heating system and the type of insulation you have. They will then provide a tailored, no-obligation quote.

Read our guide: Is my home suitable for a heat pump.
3
Get ready for installation
Get ready for installation

Before you have your heat pump installed, there a few things you need to do before the work can begin. For example, you can see if your eligible for a government grant to help you with the cost of a heat pump and check if you need to get planning permission from your local authority.

How is a heat pump installed?
4
Your new heat pump system awaits
Your new heat pump system awaits

Your installer can then start installing your new Vaillant heat pump system. It’s important to note that you may be without heating and hot water for a time as your installer will have to disconnect your current heating system in order to fit the heat pump.

5
Take your efficiency to the next level
Take your efficiency to the next level

After successful installation, your installer will show you how to manage your heat pump through your heating control and provide you with all necessary information for an efficient operation.

Get Your Heat Pump in Five Steps.

1 / 5
1. Get a personal consultation 2. Let our experts check the situation 3. Get ready for installation 4. Your new heat pump system awaits 5. Take your efficiency to the next level
Get a personal consultation

Our ‘Find an Installer’ tool connects you with expert professionals who know Vaillant heat pumps inside and out. Our installers will guide you through your options, ensuring you find the perfect solution for your home. They’ll visit your property, assess your needs, and provide a no-obligation quote.

Find your local Vaillant installer
Let our experts check the situation

Your installer will conduct an on-site inspection to ensure your home is suitable. They will assess your current radiators, current heating system and the type of insulation you have. They will then provide a tailored, no-obligation quote.

Read our guide: Is my home suitable for a heat pump.
Get ready for installation

Before you have your heat pump installed, there a few things you need to do before the work can begin. For example, you can see if your eligible for a government grant to help you with the cost of a heat pump and check if you need to get planning permission from your local authority.

How is a heat pump installed?
Your new heat pump system awaits

Your installer can then start installing your new Vaillant heat pump system. It’s important to note that you may be without heating and hot water for a time as your installer will have to disconnect your current heating system in order to fit the heat pump.

Take your efficiency to the next level

After successful installation, your installer will show you how to manage your heat pump through your heating control and provide you with all necessary information for an efficient operation.

Your Path to Buying a Heat Pump with Vaillant

Discover more
STILL GOT QUESTIONS?

FAQs

  • What (other) factors affect the consumption of a heat pump?

    Hot Water Temperature:
    The maximum hot water temperature setting in a heating system, responsible for warm domestic water supply, naturally affects energy consumption.

    Planning:
    Overly large heating systems of any technology tend to consume more energy than necessary. Therefore, your installer will make sure you have the correct sized heat pump for your heating needs.

    Technology and Model:
    The energy consumption of a heating system also depends on the technology used (boiler or heat pump) and varies from brand to brand, model to model. A general rule of thumb is that newly developed models are often more energy efficient than older ones.

  • What are heat pump tariffs and what are their advantages?

    Heat pump tariffs are dedicated tariffs that are designed to work alongside your heat pump and allow you to operate your appliance at special prices. They offer reduced prices compared to regular household electricity. Vaillant has partnered with energy supplier OVO, to bring Heat Pump Plus, a free add-on for new and existing customers who have installed an aroTHERM plus or aroTHERM air source heat pump. Learn more about how it works here.

  • Is there financial relief for owners of sustainable heating systems such as heat pumps?

    There are various government grants and financial subsidies available to support UK homeowners in upgrading their home’s heating systems. For example, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers homeowners in England and Wales up to £7,500 off installing a heat pump. Similarly, the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers Scottish homeowners the same amount but if you live in a rural area, you can benefit from a £1,500 uplift.

Unlock Efficiency: Learn About Heat Pumps Today.

  1. YOUR OPTIONS

    Heat Pump Sizing: What Size Heat Pump Do You Need?

    Read here
  2. LIVING WITH A HEAT PUMP

    Understanding Your Energy Usage With A Heat Pump

    Read here
  3. Energy Efficiency

    What is R290?

    Read here